I DON'T OWN ANYTHING!
Just then Lucille and Jack returned from the store and saw Troy.
"What's going on," Jack asked?
Troy explained the whole story to them.
"Mom I don't agree with Chad I don't. Please help her."
"I will Troy. Why don't you go help you dad with the bags and let me talk to Gabriella alone."
Troy nodded and walked away with his dad behind, Lucille knocked on the door.
"Gabriella? Its Lucille please open the door."
A note slid out from under the door.
Are you alone?
"Yes I'm alone."
The door opened and Lucille walked in. She and Gabriella sat down on the bed.
"What's going on?"
Because of me Troy had a fight with his best friend and now he will be mad at me. If he is mad at me he won't like me anymore and he won't protect me. I'm scared.
"Sweet heart Troy is not mad at you. He is very worried about you."
Oh…
"Do you want to talk to Troy about this?"
Will you help me.
"Of course."
Lucille and Gabriella got up and went out into the kitchen where the guys were putting food away.
"Troy…"
Troy spun around and saw Gabriella and smiled.
"Hey."
Gabriella hid behind Lucille.
"Troy, Gabriella is afraid that you are mad at her."
"Why would she think that?"
"She feels it's her fault that you and Chad got into a fight and because of that you are mad at her. She thinks if you are mad at her you won't protect her."
"What? That's not true."
Lucille stepped aside and Troy walked over to her. He raised his hand and Gabriella flinched thinking he was going to hit her. He brought his hand back down and moved her hair behind her ear.
"I'm not mad at you. You are not to blame for what happen and there is nothing you can do to make me stop protecting you."
Gabriella relaxed and leaned into his touch. He gave her a hug and she relaxed into his arms. He rubbed her back giving her a small kiss on the head. He could of sworn he heard her say thank you but it was so soft he wasn't sure if he heard her right. Just then the phone rang making Gabriella jump.
"It's just the phone," Troy whispered into Gabriella's ear not once letting her go.
She relaxed back into his touch as Lucille answered the phone. She spoke to the person on the other end for a few minutes before hanging up. She looked at Jack and Troy worried.
"What up Luc?"
"That was my brother. I forgot he and his family are coming to visit tomorrow."
"Does he know about Gabriella," Troy asked feeling Gabriella tighten her grip on him.
"I just told him but it's not them I'm worried about."
"I'll take care of her mom."
"If you feel uncomfortable at any time Gabriella you just come find me or Troy ok," Lucille asked?
Gabriella nodded and buried her face in Troy's chest.
"I'll protect you Brie I promise."
She whimpered in fear.
"My mom's brother is very nice and so is his wife. They have a son our age and a little girl who is four. She is the cutest thing ever."
Pulling away Gabriella grabbed her pad and wrote Do they hit?
"No, none of them will hurt you Brie I promise."
I'm scared Troy.
"I made you a promise and I am going to stick to that promise. I won't let anyone hurt you."
She nodded and relaxed into his arms. Lucille smiled it was the closest she had allowed anyone. It was also the longest she had gone with someone touching her without flinching. The phone rang again this time Gabriella didn't jump. Lucille answered it then handed it to Troy.
"It's Chad."
Sighing Troy took it.
"Hello?"
"I'm so sorry man. I was mad that she beat me at basketball and I said things I shouldn't. I'm really sorry. I'll even tell her that if it means we can be friends again."
Troy put the phone on speaker. "Say that again I didn't hear you."
"I'm so sorry man. I was mad that she beat me at basketball and I said things I shouldn't. I'm really sorry. I'll even tell her that if it means we can be friends again."
"I'm only going to forgive you if Gabriella does," Troy said looking down at the girl in his arms.
She wrote something on her pad and gave it to Troy.
I forgive him as long as he promises not to do it again.
"She says she forgives you if you promise her you'll never do it again."
"I promise to never do it again."
"Then she forgives you. Oh hey guess who is coming tomorrow?"
"My cousin Drew."
"The same guy who came to visit a few months ago?"
"The very same."
"Awesome what time?"
"Around noon," Lucille answered.
"I'll be there…if it ok with Gabriella."
Gabriella giggled.
He can come as long as he is nice to me.
"As long as you are nice to her you can come."
"All right bro I'll see you then."
"Bye bro."
They both hung up. Troy looked at Gabriella who looked a little nervous.
"Don't worry Brie no one is going to hurt you."
She just nodded.
I'm just shy. Meeting new people is hard for me. It even worse with older men like your Uncle and your father…no offence Mr. Bolton.
Jack laughed. "Gabriella call me Jack. Mr. Bolton is my father and don't worry about feeling shy towards me. I don't know if this helps but I was abused when I was your age and it took me a while before I trusted people again."
Thanks for understanding Jack.
Jack smiled and the rest of the day was spent cleaning the house and cooking the meals for the next day.
That night Troy was awoken by a scream. He ran into Gabriella's room and saw her kicking and screaming in bed. His mom was already in there trying to wake her but it was only making it worse. Troy didn't know why but he walked over and took the thrashing girl into his arms and rocked her back and forth whispering soothing words into her ear.
"Shhhh Brie shhhh it's ok you're safe. I'm right here."
Gabriella stirred and her eyes slowly opened. Troy
She whimpered clinging to him.
"I'm here Brie I'm here. You're safe. It's ok. You had a bad dream" Troy whispered.
Please don't leave
She whimpered clinging to him tighter.
"I'm not going anywhere."
Then just like that she was fast asleep.
"Mom can I…."
"Yes you can stay Troy thanks for taking care of her."
She kissed her son goodnight and went to bed.
Troy moved so he was laying on Gabriella's bed. He held her close in his arms. They both slept soundly for the rest of the night.
That next afternoon after helping Lucille set things up for the family Troy and Gabriella hung out outside till they got there. Troy kept spinning Gabriella around making her giggle. When she buried her face into his back he figured she was getting dizzy.
Troy set her back on her feet holding her steady till the dizziness wore off. Just then the doorbell rang. Gabriella whimper knowing who is was. She looked at Troy with a worried look. He just took her hand and led her inside.
"Everything will be fine."
Lucille opened the door and hugged her brother and his wife. A little girl came running in and went right over to Troy.
"Hi Troy!"
Gabriella smiled at her. Troy let go of Gabriella hand and picked the girl up pretending to grunt when he did.
"You're getting heavy."
"No I not you getting old.".
"Why you little meanie."
He tickled the little girl making her giggle. He stopped and looked at Gabriella.
"This is my good friend Gabriella. Gabriella this is my little cousin Lizzie."
The little girl buried her face in Troy's neck.
"It's all right Liz she is just as shy as you so don't worry."
Troy moved Lizzie to his hip and held Gabriella's hand with the other. He led her over to the others.
"Everyone this is Gabriella. Gabriella this is my brother John and his wife Cindy. Their son Drew. He is the same age as you and Troy and you already met their youngest Lizzie," Lucille said.
Hi it's nice to meet you all. After letting them read her notepad she hid behind Troy.
"As I said on the phone she is very shy but as she gets to know you she will warm up to you."
"Twoy I want to pay barbies" Lizzie said.
"Your brother and I were going to play basketball."
I'll play barbies with you. That way Troy and Drew can play basketball…if that's ok.
"YAY!" Lizzie squealed and wiggled in Troy's arms. Troy set her down and she grabbed Gabriella's hand and dragged her away. Everyone laughed. The parents sat down on the couch and the boys went outside. Gabriella spent the next few minutes playing with Lizzie. Knowing Lizzie couldn't read yet she spoke but only to Lizzie. Then they were called to eat lunch. After eating Chad got there.
"Hey Lizzie mind if we borrow Gabriella for a while," Troy asked?
"I want to pay basketball too."
"Ok how about this. We play one game just the big kids but then you can play the next game."
"KAY!"
The parents stayed at the table and talked while the kids went outside.
"Let's do teams. I'll be with Chad, Drew you can be with Gabriella if that is ok," Troy said looking at Gabriella.
She shook her head. I want to be with you Troy
"I know but I can control Chad if he is on my team and Drew would have no reason to get physical with you because you are on his team."
She nodded and the game was on. It was a close came but in the end Troy shot the winning point. To saw Drew was mad was an understatement.
"One point we lost by one point!"
"Drew easy it was just a game," Chad said.
"This is all your fault. You are a horrible player!".
She whimpered and went to run to Troy but Drew grabbed her arm causing her to cry out in fear.
"Drew let her go NOW," Troy said sternly.
He walked over to him and pulled Gabriella's arm from his grasp and pulled her protectively behind him.
"Calm down it was just game. Drew stop it." Troy
"I lost and I don't like to lose," he huffed.
"It's not a real game Drew it was a game for fun now stop being a sore loser and let's move on," Chad said.
"I AM NOT A SORE LOOSER!"
Gabriella screamed in fear. Troy wrapped his arms behind him holding her tightly. "Go on inside," he said to her.
She whimpered and clung to him tighter.
"Drew just calm down man. It was just a fun game. No need to blow your top," Chad said.
Without notice from either of the kids Lizzie went inside.
"Daddy, mommy, Uncle Jack, and Auntie Lucille come outside. Drew is being mean.".
"Oh no Gabriella," Lucille said. She and the others went outside.
"Drew Johnson you cut it out this minutes," John told his son.
Drew huffed and went inside. Everyone else went back in except Lucille, Troy and Gabriella. Troy brought Gabriella around to the front of him and hugged her close. She cried into his chest as she shook.
"Is she ok?"
"Shaken up but I think ok. Can I be alone with her?"
Lucille just nodded and went inside with a smile. She was glad Gabriella was opening up so much to Troy.
"Hey it's ok. You're safe."
She nodded against his chest and looked up at him with a small smile.
"There's that smile. Are you ok?"
I'm fine. He didn't grab me that tight. If you didn't stop him would he hit me?
"No. Look there was something I should have told you before he came but I was scared it would upset you more. That woman in there Cindy she isn't Drew's real mother. His real mother left him and my Uncle John when he was a little boy. Ever since then Drew has had some real anger issues. It's worse towards women."
Lizzie?
"Cindy is her birth mother. The only reason Drew is nice to Cindy now is because she has been there for Drew a lot in the past. When My Uncle John first started dating her Drew was a mess. He never would hit a girl Brie. I know him enough to know he would never hurt you."
It wasn't him I was scared of Troy. When he started yelling and screaming and grabbing me I thought I was back home and that's what scared me. I thought he was my father.
Just then Drew came back out.
"I'm sorry is it ok if I talk to you guys for a second?"
"Sure."
"I'm sorry I hurt you and yelled at you Gabriella. You really are a great basketball player. Sometimes I get so mad and I just can't control my rage…"
Drew stopped when Gabriella put her hand on his arms.
I forgive you Drew. Troy told me about your real mom and I'm sorry. I know what it is it like. Just be glad that your mom left you with a wonderful caring man like your father. My mom left me with a…psychopath who…who abused me and yes she knew about it but she left anyway. All she cared about was saving herself from my dad. She cared nothing about me or my life. So just be thankful she left you with a good man.
"I never thought of it like that thanks Gabriella. So do you forgive me?"
She nodded and smiled at him. They call Lizzie and Chad back outside and played another game with Lizzie. Of course the guys let Gabriella and Lizzie win. After everyone left Jack and Lucille had Troy and Gabriella sit on the couch.
"Gabriella tomorrow you will be going to school with Troy at East High…."
Before Lucille could finish Gabriella whimpered and buried her face behind Troy's back so she didn't have to look either of the parents in the eye.
"It's all right sweetie. You will be with Troy the whole time. That's why I'm telling you this. After homeroom Troy would got to basketball practice and you would go to math but because of the situation Jack and I have spoken to your math teacher and he has agreed to allowed you to join her when you are ready and stay with Troy at the gym in the mean time.".
Gabriella whimpered and tried to burry herself behind Troy.
"Sweetie stop hiding and tell us what you're scared of," Lucille said her instincts kicking in.
Gabriella whimpered and started to shake. Troy moved over a bit and pulled her onto his lap but she just squirmed. Troy let her go and she got up and ran from the living room.
"Mom!" Troy cried about to run after her.
"All right Troy. It's ok," Lucille soothed knowing if Troy panicked Gabriella would to.
She and the guys made their way to Gabriella's room where she was curled up into a ball rocking back and forth against the wall.
"Mom what's wrong with her?"
He was scared. He had never seen her like this.
"It's all right Troy, Just stay calm. If you panic so will Gabriella."
Lucille slowly went over to Gabriella.
"Gabriella, sweetie talk to me. What's wrong?"
Gabriella whimpered and scooted backwards until she hit the wall.
"Stay away please. Don't hurt me," she whimpered.
"Gabriella its Lucille I'm not going hurt you I want you to look at me."
"No! No don't hurt me!"
Lucille stepped back and went over to Troy.
"Let's try something else. Troy I want you to slowly go over to her and try to get her to look at you."
Troy slowly walked over to Gabriella and kneeled down in front of her.
"Brie hey looked at me its Troy."
Gabriella made eye contact.
"Good Troy now let her know she is safe make sure she knows she can trust you."
"Brie you're safe. You're at home with me Troy and my mom. You are totally and 100% safe. You can trust me remember I promised to protect you and I meant it. Whatever it is that scared you we can fix it. Come on Brie."
Troy handed her a pad and pen which she took.
Troy?
"It's me Brie. What's the matter?"
At my old school everyone bullied me. No one liked me. They all picked at me. I don't want to go back to school again.
"Brie no one at East High will treat you that way. If anyone gives you any trouble you tell me or my dad and we will stop it. I will be at your side everyday so no one will hurt you."
I'm scared.
"You were scared when you first met me. Everyone is scared their first day of school but don't worry I got your back."
Gabriella nodded.
Troy opened his arms for her. "Come here."
She crawled into his arms and relaxed into his touch. Before she knew it she was sleeping. Lucille and Jack had left and Troy smiled. He climbed into her bed and let her get comfortable. After she was comfortable he got comfortable and before he knew it he was asleep too. That night Gabriella slept without any nightmares.
Ok I know you are all confused by Gabriella suddenly speaking again but it's because she is scared and having a flashback and she can't register that she is speaking same with the last chapter when she had her nightmare. She was half asleep and dreaming so it wouldn't register to her that she was speaking. Next chapter her first day at school.
